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Qantas Under 23's Beat Uzbekistan

Manly United (NSW Premier League) defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley has scored an extraordinary goal to give the Qantas Under 23's a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan at the Spring Cup tournament in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Manly United (NSW Premier League) defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley has scored an extraordinary goal to give the Qantas Under 23's a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan at the Spring Cup tournament in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Topor-Stanley (pictured right), who is one of only two players in the squad that has not played in the Hyundai A-League, headed home from the edge of the penalty area, to give Australia the victory.

The win however was not enough to earn Australia top spot on the table, finishing second behind Iran courtesy of goal difference.

The match overall was a fairly lacklustre affair, with few chances created and both teams looking somewhat jaded from the hectic schedule of three games in five days.

Uzbekistan had the better of the opening half, creating a number of half chances, while Australia struggled to get any clear opportunities at goal.

The second half started more positively with Perth Glory midfielder Nick Ward picking up a deflection off a Uzbekistan defender, but was thwarted by the keeper as he tried to go round him.

Coach Graham Arnold tried to spark things up a little by introducing a series of substitutes and it was of them (Topor-Stanley) that eventually gave Australia victory in the 75th minute. Mark Milligan-s long free kick from the half way seemed harmless enough when it got the edge of the area, but the Uzbekistan keeper had come a long way off his line and the lanky defender seized the opportunity and looped his header over the stranded keeper.

Arnold was reasonably satisfied with the team-s performances, given that it was their first time together as a group; going through undefeated and without conceding a goal in the three matches.